Advertisement

Bystanders tackle man accused of theft

Aggressive panhandler charged after driver's windshield smashed

A group of bystanders came together Tuesday afternoon to stop a robbery in progress, police say.

A balaclava-wearing man held up a business with a knife around 3:30 p.m. on Main Street near Alexander Avenue, Winnipeg police said.

An employee who was outside during the robbery prevented the man from leaving the building, police said.

The man broke through a window to escape and as he fled, a bystander tripped him. As the man fell, a knife flew from his hand, along with the cigarettes and money he stole, police said.

Bystanders prevented the man from leaving until police arrived to arrest him.

Const. Rob Carver said it is lucky no one was hurt in the incident.

Police are trained to draw their weapons if they approach a suspect with a knife.

"It's great that people want to help, and I don't want to put a negative spin on that, but the risk, of course, is that somebody could get hurt," he said.

The 22-year-old thief was charged with robbery and possessing a dangerous weapon, among other charges.